HAPPY SIX MONTH "BIRTHDAY"...OLIVER

Oliver "crab man" in his new crab PJs

Six months...six months...how the heck has it been six months since we welcomed Oliver into our family? What a fantastic 24 weeks it has been. He continues to be an amazing little man who makes me melt every time I see his smile, which is a lot these days! 

He has also got his brother and sister wrapped around his finger...especially Charlotte. She adores Oliver and doesn't let him far from her sight. When he's on the floor playing or in his exersaucer (affectionately known as the circle of neglect) she is not far from his side. When he starts talking in his crib in the morning she says "see Opiter" (which is what she calls him) and follows me to his room when I grab him from his crib and when it's time to put him in bed each night she gives him the biggest kiss any sister could plant on her little brother! Jacob also enjoys having Oliver around (or Opiter as he continues to call him) and comes with Charlotte and I every morning to sing the "good morning song" to him before I grab him from the crib. It's great to see their excitement when he's around! I truly hope they continue to share a special bond over the years ahead.

This past month has been another busy one. From March 9 to April 9 Oliver has:

• Grown and gained weight: Oliver now weighs 20 lbs and is 28 3/4" 
• Enjoyed more solid food: In addition to all the food he tried last month, we have introduced chicken, beef, turkey, spinach, pears and baby mum mums. He continues to enjoy solid food and knows exactly what's happening when we put him in his feeding chair! 
• Continued to sleep through the night: Oliver is our rock star sleeper. He continues to sleep through the night waking anywhere from 6 to 7 a.m. each day! He certainly beats Charlotte and Jacob in the sleep department that's for sure!
• Gotten back on track with his daytime sleep: Oliver has redeemed himself from last month and has begun to sleep more consistently during the day. Typically he will go down for a morning nap around 8 a.m. and will go down for his afternoon nap anywhere between 12 and 1 p.m. for two hours
• Found his feet: Oliver found his feet and loves playing with them when they are exposed - he especially likes sucking his toes! 
• Started clapping: In addition to finding his feet, Oliver has also found his hands and loves to clap them together! 
• Strengthened his "voice": Not a day goes by when Oliver isn't testing out his voice he screams, laughs, sings and makes many interesting sounds including "ba ba ba"
• Started wearing 9 month clothes: Although he still fits into some of his 6 month clothes we have had to weave select 9 month outfits into his clothing selections, mainly PJs! He's one long solid "little" man!
• Celebrated his first Easter: Oliver celebrated his first Easter on March 31
• Shown more interest in rolling over: We're still waiting for Oliver to roll from his back to his stomach but he has mastered rolling from his stomach to his back. Oliver is oh so close to rolling from his back to his stomach but can't seem to get over all the way just yet...stay tuned!
• Shown greater interest in holding onto / playing with toys: Oliver loves his toys on his exersaucer but also enjoys being handed or reaching for a toy while he's playing on his mat on the floor or bed or wherever he may be - he was much more active over the past month than the previous ones!
• Started "stroller fit" with mommy: We started a nine week stroller fit class on Wednesday in hopes of whipping me into shape and enjoying the outside air in Sherwood Park
• Activities outside the house: Stroller Fit, walks in the neighbourhood, Music at CECC, Stars and Stroller Movie (The Call)

Hard to believe this was Oliver just six short months ago....